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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Absolutely brilliant right down to the last page. As always, Bernard Cornwell weaves a great story, true a bit less focused than usual, but I believe that is the point. Uhtred is getting older but when the fates weave his story they know how to make it exciting and he must fight his way, tooth and claw, you survive.
The narrator and protagonist, Utred, now in his 50's in this 7th book of the series The Saxon Tales takes the readers on further adventures of the fight for England and his quest of claiming his home which was his birthright. The author gave the readers an amazing character in creating Utred, by this time we have come to know him very well and what motivates him. Listening to the Audible versions of these books, the narrators have all done excellent in the different voices and have brought excitement to the various scenarios written into the work which adds entertainment value. The author is also to be commended for the many hours spent on research to bring so much of the reality of the ninth and tenth centuries of England history to life in the story.
I've been faithfully making my way through the Saxon Stories series. I like Bernard Cornwall's take on medieval England, I like his sense of humor, and I like his battle descriptions.
However, this book felt like it was spinning its wheels. Uhtred finally heads off to Babbenburg and that's about the first half of it. Uhtred is still thinking the same old thoughts about his treacherous uncle, about the treacherous king, and about the Nailed God. After finishing the first half of the book, I was not inspired to go on. This only rarely happens to me with Bernard Cornwell, and never before in this series, but this particular book just didn't hold my interest. It feels like the series is spinning on and on without heading to a climax.
However, this book felt like it was spinning its wheels. Uhtred finally heads off to Babbenburg and that's about the first half of it. Uhtred is still thinking the same old thoughts about his treacherous uncle, about the treacherous king, and about the Nailed God. After finishing the first half of the book, I was not inspired to go on. This only rarely happens to me with Bernard Cornwell, and never before in this series, but this particular book just didn't hold my interest. It feels like the series is spinning on and on without heading to a climax.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book seven in this series set during a time that too few people know about. Cornwell has carefully crafted this book serial to demonstrate a difficult time in the formation of England. Initially it began as the story of a disenfranchised lord’s son betrayed by his uncle who finds himself in the employment of Alfred the Great.
For much of this series, that is how the story pans out. But Alfred died a couple of books back and a new difficult time is about to begin. It is one on which various factions in the Danelaw, in Mercia and Wessex are going to scrap it out. It is one in which a woman will reign victorious and set England on its path, but that is yet to come. In the meantime, this feels very much like a transitional book but one important for the wider context of the period because of one key battle.
The story starts with Uhtred angrily going to a monastery and denouncing his first-born son for becoming not just a Christian, but a monk. He takes away his name and renames his “Father Judas” – much to the annoyance of the other monks. He has his work cut out. No sooner has he got back to his land he sees it attacked and several people taken hostage. It is revealed to be his old enemy Cnut who tells Uhtred that it was done in retaliation – but it wasn’t Uhtred, as Cnut quickly learns. Somebody is trying to set them against each other and Uhtred offers to find out who. In the meantime, he heads north again to try (once again) to retake Bebbanburg.
Regular readers of this series should know what to expect by now. It is well-researched, reads easily and is a great introduction to a less well known period of England’s history. Uhtred is a colourful character – not always likeable but nearly always sympathetic through the lens of out own time.
As I said above, this feels like a transitional book because it is set between two pivotal events in history – the death of Alfred and the rise to prominence of his daughter Aethelflaed as a leader in her own right. I am looking forward to the next book and will certainly carry on, but really starting to wonder just how much steam is left in this series. I hope it doesn’t get dragged on for the sake of cashing in.
For much of this series, that is how the story pans out. But Alfred died a couple of books back and a new difficult time is about to begin. It is one on which various factions in the Danelaw, in Mercia and Wessex are going to scrap it out. It is one in which a woman will reign victorious and set England on its path, but that is yet to come. In the meantime, this feels very much like a transitional book but one important for the wider context of the period because of one key battle.
The story starts with Uhtred angrily going to a monastery and denouncing his first-born son for becoming not just a Christian, but a monk. He takes away his name and renames his “Father Judas” – much to the annoyance of the other monks. He has his work cut out. No sooner has he got back to his land he sees it attacked and several people taken hostage. It is revealed to be his old enemy Cnut who tells Uhtred that it was done in retaliation – but it wasn’t Uhtred, as Cnut quickly learns. Somebody is trying to set them against each other and Uhtred offers to find out who. In the meantime, he heads north again to try (once again) to retake Bebbanburg.
Regular readers of this series should know what to expect by now. It is well-researched, reads easily and is a great introduction to a less well known period of England’s history. Uhtred is a colourful character – not always likeable but nearly always sympathetic through the lens of out own time.
As I said above, this feels like a transitional book because it is set between two pivotal events in history – the death of Alfred and the rise to prominence of his daughter Aethelflaed as a leader in her own right. I am looking forward to the next book and will certainly carry on, but really starting to wonder just how much steam is left in this series. I hope it doesn’t get dragged on for the sake of cashing in.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“When those blades cut, they cause tears that feed the well of Urdr that lies beside the world tree, and the well gives the water that keeps Yggdrasil alive, and if Yggdrasil dies then the world dies, and so the well must be kept filled and for that there must be tears.”
With the trailer for the FINAL season of The Last Kingdom being released last week, I needed to binge as much of this series as I can before it is released! The trailer looked so awesome, and I am now over halfway through reading the books. You cannot get enough of Uhtred!
I was disappointed with the previous instalment, but The Pagan Lord was certainly a return to form in my opinion. The series does often follow a template, but this also has numerous moments that makes it stick out as an individual tale, with the ending of this book being particularly brilliant. It was hilarious, but emotional and moving at the same time, with subtle character exploration and culmination of so much of what the previous books have been building towards.
“The art of war,” I told him, “is to make the enemy do your bidding.”
Whilst it retains the 'template form' with Uhtred facing a new threat that tests his loyalties, in which he must gather a force and end the book in a climactic action sequence, The Pagan Lord at the same time felt very different. It still has those beats, but the character interactions and standout characters make it feel fresh. And, as I said before, the ending is fantastic. One of the best endings of any book, ever. It said so much about Uhtred who we have now followed for seven books, in what was a humorous but also emotional scene. If you've read this, then you know!
This is a great series, and Bernard Cornwell has created one of my favourite characters in this series. Uhtred is a complex, divided man who feels the responsibility of leadership as well as the conflict of loyalty. Born a saxon, raised a dane, there are those he loves on both sides, but the struggle between the two is always present, and executed brilliantly.
5/5 STARS
With the trailer for the FINAL season of The Last Kingdom being released last week, I needed to binge as much of this series as I can before it is released! The trailer looked so awesome, and I am now over halfway through reading the books. You cannot get enough of Uhtred!
I was disappointed with the previous instalment, but The Pagan Lord was certainly a return to form in my opinion. The series does often follow a template, but this also has numerous moments that makes it stick out as an individual tale, with the ending of this book being particularly brilliant. It was hilarious, but emotional and moving at the same time, with subtle character exploration and culmination of so much of what the previous books have been building towards.
“The art of war,” I told him, “is to make the enemy do your bidding.”
Whilst it retains the 'template form' with Uhtred facing a new threat that tests his loyalties, in which he must gather a force and end the book in a climactic action sequence, The Pagan Lord at the same time felt very different. It still has those beats, but the character interactions and standout characters make it feel fresh. And, as I said before, the ending is fantastic. One of the best endings of any book, ever. It said so much about Uhtred who we have now followed for seven books, in what was a humorous but also emotional scene. If you've read this, then you know!
This is a great series, and Bernard Cornwell has created one of my favourite characters in this series. Uhtred is a complex, divided man who feels the responsibility of leadership as well as the conflict of loyalty. Born a saxon, raised a dane, there are those he loves on both sides, but the struggle between the two is always present, and executed brilliantly.
5/5 STARS